Stylus

ABSTRACT

A stylus includes a housing, a tip portion at an end of the housing, and a control module within the housing, with the housing including a shape-changeable portion, and the control module to generate a first signal in response to the shape-changeable portion of the housing having a first effective cross-sectional area and generate a second signal in response to the shape-changeable portion of the housing having a second, different effective cross-sectional area.

BACKGROUND

An electronic device with a touch-sensitive display, such as a computingdevice, may enable a user to input commands by making contact with thetouch-sensitive display. A user may use different input tools to makecontact with the touch-sensitive display. For example, an input tool maybe a stylus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a stylus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the stylusof FIG. 2 from the perspective of line 3-3 of FIG. 2 .

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of thestylus of FIG. 2 in different states from the perspective of line 4-4 ofFIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the stylusof FIG. 5 from the perspective of line 6-6 of FIG. 5 .

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of thestylus of FIG. 5 in different states from the perspective of line 7-7 ofFIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus.

FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c are cross-sectional views illustrating an example ofthe stylus of FIG. 8 in different states from the perspective of line9-9 of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus.

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b are cross-sectional views illustrating an example ofthe stylus of FIG. 10 in different states from the perspective of line11-11 of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method of using astylus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a stylus having a housing that ischangeable or variable in shape, including shape and/or size, as a usergrasps or holds the stylus such that a change or variation of thehousing is sensed and used to produce or establish different settingswith, for, or of the stylus. Thus, a change or variation in physicalshape and/or size of the stylus may change or vary an aspect of or inputto a corresponding or associated electronic or computing device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a stylus 100. Inone example, stylus 100 includes a body or housing 102 with components,such as a control circuit or control module 104, power supply 106,sensor 108, and communication module 110 provided within housing 102,and a tip portion 112 provided at an end of housing 102. In examples,tip portion 112 includes a nib 113 for contact with an input ortouch-sensitive surface of an electronic device, such as a computingdevice 10.

In one implementation, housing 102 includes a shape-changeable portion120 that provides housing 102 with an effective cross-sectional areathat may be varied such that variation of the effective cross-sectionalarea may be used to establish different settings with, for, or of stylus100. For example, shape-changeable portion 120 may be squeezed orcompressed by a user of stylus 100 to provide or establish differentsizes and/or shapes of housing 102. In examples, the different sizesand/or shapes of housing 102 establish different settings with, for, orof stylus 100, as described below.

In one example, control module 104 includes a processor 114 and memory116. Processor 114 transfers, communicates, and/or processes signals,commands, conditions, states, and/or parameters for and/or betweencomponents of stylus 100, and may include analog and/or digital elementsand/or circuits. In examples, processor 114 implements and/or executescomputer-readable, computer-executable instructions for data processingfunctions and/or functionality of stylus 100. In examples, suchinstructions are stored in memory, such as memory 116. Memory 116 mayinclude volatile and non-volatile memory, and includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium suitable for tangibly embodying programinstructions and data.

In examples, power supply 106 provides energy for operating componentsof stylus 100. In one implementation, power supply 106 is a rechargeablebattery.

In examples, sensor 108 provides information about one or more than onecondition and/or state of stylus 100. In one implementation, sensor 108includes one or more than one instrument or device for reading,detecting, measuring, indicating, and/or responding to a condition orstate of stylus 100. For example, sensor 108 may include a linear orrotational position sensor or encoder for sensing or detecting acondition or state of shape-changeable portion 120 of housing 102.

In examples, communication module 110 facilitates the exchange and/ortransmission of information and/or data between stylus 100 and anotherdevice or system, including an external device such as, for example,electronic or computing device 10. Such information and/or data mayinclude, for example, control and/or logic instructions or commands,condition or state information, as well as other information and/or datato be exchanged with and/or transmitted to and/or from stylus 100. Inone implementation, communication module 110 transmits information ordata regarding a condition or state of shape-changeable portion 120 ofhousing 102 to an external device such as, for example, electronic orcomputing device 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus 200 inaccordance with the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectionalview illustrating an example of stylus 200 from the perspective of line3-3 of FIG. 2 . In one example, stylus 200 includes a body or housing202 with a tip portion 212, including a nib 213, provided at an end ofhousing 202. In one example, components of stylus 200, such as thoseillustrated and described above with reference to FIG. 1 , including,for example, an example of control module 104, an example of powersupply 106, an example of sensor 108, and an example of communicationmodule 110, are provided within housing 202.

In one implementation, housing 202 of stylus 200 includes ashape-changeable portion 220, as an example of shape-changeable portion120 (FIG. 1 ). As such, shape-changeable portion 220 provides housing202 with an effective cross-sectional area that may be varied toestablish different settings with, for, or of stylus 200.

In the illustrated example, shape-changeable portion 220 includes amovable section 222 supported in a cavity 203 of housing 202. Morespecifically, in one implementation, movable section 222 has a generallyI-shaped cross-section and includes a bottom flange 223 slidablysupported within cavity 203. As such, movable section 222, including,more specifically, bottom flange 223 of movable section 222, may beadvanced into cavity 203, as represented by arrows 228.

In one example, movable section 222 of shape-changeable portion 220 isbiased, for example, by one or more than one spring 224, to a defaultposition or state, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , and describedbelow. In addition, movable section 222 is depressed or compressed in adirection substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 201 ofstylus 200, as described below. Thus, in one example, shape-changeableportion 220 is changeable in shape in a direction transverse tolongitudinal axis 201 of stylus 200.

In one example, a hinged section 226 is provided between tip portion 212and movable section 222. In one implementation, hinged section 226 issupported at one end by housing 202 and contacted at an opposite end bymovable section 222 such that hinged section 226 pivots, as representedby arrow 227, as movable section 222 is depressed or compressed.

In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of FIGS. 4 a, 4 b ,movable section 222 of shape-changeable portion 220 is moved relative tohousing 202 including, more specifically, within cavity 203 of housing202, to establish different conditions or states of stylus 200. Morespecifically, in one example, movable section 222 is depressed orcompressed, as represented by arrow 229, to vary a position of movablesection 222 and change an effective cross-sectional area ofshape-changeable portion 220. Movable section 222 is depressed orcompressed, for example, against a bias force of spring or springs 224(FIG. 3 ). In one example, movable section 222 of shape-changeableportion 220 is depressed or compressed by, for example, a thumb and/orfinger or fingers of the hand of a user of stylus 200 as the user graspsor holds housing 202 of stylus 200.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4 a , movable section 222 is in anextended, expanded or uncompressed position or state and, as illustratedin the example of FIG. 4 b , movable section 222 is in a contracted orcompressed position or state. As such, in the example of FIG. 4 a ,shape-changeable portion 220 of housing 202 has an effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 230 a and, in the exampleof FIG. 4 b , shape changeable portion 220 of housing 202 has aneffective cross-sectional area identified by dashed line 230 b.Accordingly, the effective cross-sectional area, as identified by, forexample, dashed line 230 a and dashed line 230 b, represents an apparentdiameter of housing 202 as sensed by the user's grip on stylus 202(i.e., how “big” or “thick” stylus 202 feels in the user's hand). In oneexample, the extended, expanded or uncompressed position or state ofmovable section 222, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 a ,represents a default position or state of shape-changeable portion 220.

As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 4 a, 4 b , the effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 230 a is different than(i.e., greater than) the effective cross-sectional area identified bydashed line 230 b. In addition, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 4a , shape-changeable portion 220 provides housing 202 with anoval-shaped barrel and, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 4 b ,shape-changeable portion 220 provides housing 202 with a circular-shapedbarrel. Thus, with shape-changeable portion 220, a size and shape ofhousing 202 may be varied.

In one example, a position of movable section 222 of shape-changeableportion 220 includes and is variable between the extended, expanded oruncompressed position or state of FIG. 4 a and the contracted orcompressed position or state of FIG. 4 b . As such, different positionsof movable section 222 establish different effective cross-sectionalareas of shape-changeable portion 220 of housing 202. In one example,the different positions or states of movable section 222 are sensed ordetected by a sensor of stylus 200, such as sensor 108 (FIG. 1 ).

In one implementation, the different positions or states of movablesection 222 produce or establish different settings with, for, or ofstylus 200, including, for example, different commands, parameters,conditions, operations, controls, or outputs with, for, or of stylus200. More specifically, a control module of stylus 200, such as controlmodule 104 (FIG. 1 ), generates different outputs or signals that arecommunicated with an external device such as, for example, electronic orcomputing device 10. Thus, a change in actual or apparent size of stylus200 is sensed and used to control an aspect of or input to electronic orcomputing device 10 with stylus 200. The change in size of stylus 200may be used, for example, to control, vary or change line width,brushstroke, spread, feathering, coloring, shading, opacity, and/orsaturation within a writing or drawing application or program ofelectronic or computing device 10.

For example, the extended, expanded or uncompressed position or state ofFIG. 4 a may produce a “fat” or wide line within a writing or drawingapplication or program of electronic or computing device 10, and thecontracted or compressed position or state of FIG. 4 b may produce a“thin” or narrow line within a writing or drawing application or programof computing device 10. As such, stylus 200 can appear to transitionbetween a “fat” marker and a “fine-tip” pen both in physical size withina user's hand and the resulting output in a writing or drawingapplication or program, thus providing an intuitive input mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus 300 inaccordance with the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectionalview illustrating an example of stylus 300 from the perspective of line6-6 of FIG. 5 . In one example, stylus 300 includes a body or housing302 with a tip portion 312, including a nib 313, provided at an end ofhousing 302. In one example, components of stylus 300, such as thoseillustrated and described above with reference to FIG. 1 , including,for example, an example of control module 104, an example of powersupply 106, an example of sensor 108, and an example of communicationmodule 110, are provided within housing 302.

In one implementation, housing 302 of stylus 300 includes ashape-changeable portion 320, as an example of shape-changeable portion120 (FIG. 1 ). As such, shape-changeable portion 320 provides housing302 with an effective cross-sectional area that may be varied toestablish different settings with, for, or of stylus 300.

In the illustrated example, shape-changeable portion 320 is similar toshape-changeable portion 220 of stylus 200 (FIGS. 2, 3 ) and includes amovable section 322 supported in a cavity 303 of housing 302. Morespecifically, in one implementation, and similar to movable section 222of shape-changeable portion 220, movable section 322 has a generallyI-shaped cross-section and includes a bottom flange 323 slidablysupported within cavity 303. As such, movable section 322, including,more specifically, bottom flange 323 of movable section 322, may beadvanced into cavity 303, as represented by arrows 328.

In one example, movable section 322 of shape-changeable portion 320 isbiased, for example, by one or more than one spring 324, to a defaultposition or state, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , and describedbelow. In addition, movable section 322 is depressed or compressed in adirection substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 301 ofstylus 300, as described below. Thus, in one example, shape-changeableportion 320 is changeable in shape in a direction transverse tolongitudinal axis 301 of stylus 300.

In one example, a hinged section 326, similar to hinged section 226, isprovided between tip portion 312 and movable section 322. In oneimplementation, hinged section 326 is supported at one end by housing302 and contacted at an opposite end by movable section 322 such thathinged section 326 pivots, as represented by arrow 327, as movablesection 322 is depressed or compressed.

As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 5 and 6 , shape-changeableportion 320 extends substantially an entire length of housing 302. Inaddition, in the illustrated example, one or more than one switch orbutton 318 for operation of stylus 300 is provided on movable section322 of shape-changeable portion 320. Thus, in addition to switch orbutton 318, stylus 300 includes shape-changeable portion 320 forestablishing different settings with, for, or of stylus 300, including,for example, different commands, parameters, conditions, operations,controls, or outputs with, for, or of stylus 300, similar to thatdescribed above with reference to stylus 200.

In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of FIGS. 7 a, 7 b ,and similar to movable section 222 of the example of FIGS. 4 a, 4 b ,movable section 322 of shape-changeable portion 320 is moved relative tohousing 302 to establish different conditions or states of stylus 300.More specifically, in one example, movable section 322 is depressed orcompressed, as represented by arrow 329, to vary a position of movablesection 322 and change an effective cross-sectional area ofshape-changeable portion 320.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 7 a , movable section 322 is in anextended, expanded or uncompressed position or state and, as illustratedin the example of FIG. 7 b , movable section 322 is in a contracted orcompressed position or state. As such, in the example of FIG. 7 a ,shape-changeable portion 320 of housing 302 has an effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 330 a and, in the exampleof FIG. 7 b , shape changeable portion 320 of housing 302 has aneffective cross-sectional area identified by dashed line 330 b. In oneexample, the extended, expanded or uncompressed position or state ofmovable section 322, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7 a ,represents a default position or state of shape-changeable portion 320.

As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 7 a, 7 b , the effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 330 a is different than(i.e., greater than) the effective cross-sectional area identified bydashed line 330 b. In addition, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 7a , shape-changeable portion 320 provides housing 302 with anoval-shaped barrel and, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 7 b ,shape-changeable portion 320 provides housing 302 with a circular-shapedbarrel. Thus, with shape-changeable portion 320, a size and shape ofhousing 302 may be varied.

In one example, and similar to movable section 222 of stylus 200, thedifferent positions or states of movable section 322 are sensed ordetected by a sensor of stylus 300, such as sensor 108 (FIG. 1 ). Thus,in one implementation, and similar to movable section 222 of stylus 200,the different positions or states of movable section 322 produce orestablish different settings with, for, or of stylus 300, including, forexample, different commands, parameters, conditions, operations,controls, or outputs with, for, or of stylus 300.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus 400 inaccordance with the present disclosure. In one example, stylus 400includes a body or housing 402 with a tip portion 412, including a nib413, provided at an end of housing 402. In one example, components ofstylus 400, such as those illustrated and described above with referenceto FIG. 1 , including, for example, an example of control module 104, anexample of power supply 106, an example of sensor 108, and an example ofcommunication module 110, are provided within housing 402.

In one implementation, housing 402 of stylus 400 includes ashape-changeable portion 420, as an example of shape-changeable portion120 (FIG. 1 ). As such, shape-changeable portion 420 provides housing402 with an effective cross-sectional area that may be varied toestablish different settings with, for, or of stylus 400.

In the illustrated example, shape-changeable portion 420 includes anarray of movable sections 422 each individually supported about acentral core 403 extended along a longitudinal axis 401 of housing 402.More specifically, in one implementation, movable sections 422 each havea generally C-shaped cross-section with an end 423 supported by andpivotally or rotatably coupled to central core 403. In one example,movable sections 422 are spaced substantially equally around centralcore 403, and may be collapsed or nested around core 403 and each other,as described below.

In one example, movable sections 422 of shape-changeable portion 420 areformed of spring hinges and are biased, for example, to a defaultposition or state, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , and described below. Inaddition, movable sections 422 are collapsed or nested in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 401 of stylus 400, asdescribed below. Thus, in one example, shape-changeable portion 420 ischangeable in shape in a direction transverse to longitudinal axis 401of stylus 400.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 8 , shape-changeable portion 420extends substantially an entire length of housing 402. In addition, inthe illustrated example, one or more than one switch or button 418 foroperation of stylus 400 is provided on a movable section 422 ofshape-changeable portion 420. Thus, in addition to switch or button 418,stylus 400 includes shape-changeable portion 420 for establishingdifferent settings with, for, or of stylus 400, including, for example,different commands, parameters, conditions, operations, controls, oroutputs with, for, or of stylus 400, similar to that described abovewith reference to stylus 200.

In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of FIGS. 9 a, 9 b,9 c , movable sections 422 of shape-changeable portion 420 are movedrelative to core 403 of housing 402 to establish different conditions orstates of stylus 400. More specifically, in one example, movablesections 422 are collapsed or nested, as represented by arrows 429, tovary a position of movable sections 422 and change an effectivecross-sectional area of shape-changeable portion 420.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 9 a , movable sections 422 are inan extended, expanded or uncompressed position or state, as illustratedin the example of FIG. 9 b , movable sections 422 are in a partiallycollapsed, nested or compressed position or state, and, as illustratedin the example of FIG. 9 c , movable sections 422 are in a fullycollapsed, nested or compressed position or state. As such, in theexample of FIG. 9 a , shape-changeable portion 420 of housing 402 is inan “open” condition or state and has an effective cross-sectional areaidentified by dashed line 430 a, in the example of FIG. 9 b , shapechangeable portion 420 of housing 402 is in a “partially closed”condition or state and has an effective cross-sectional area identifiedby dashed line 430 b, and, in the example of FIG. 9 c , shape changeableportion 420 of housing 402 is in a “closed” condition or state and hasan effective cross-sectional area identified by dashed line 430 c. Inone example, the extended, expanded or uncompressed position or state ofmovable sections 422, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9 a ,represents a default position or state of shape-changeable portion 420.In one example, movable sections 422 include a stop or catch at an end424, or as part of the pivot mechanism at end 423, to limit an extent ofopening of shape-changeable portion 420.

As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 9 a, 9 b, 9 c , the effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 430 a is different than(i.e., greater than) the effective cross-sectional area identified bydashed line 430 b, and the effective cross-sectional area identified bydashed line 430 b is different than (i.e., greater than) the effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 430 c. In addition, asillustrated in the example of FIGS. 9 a, 9 b , shape-changeable portion420 provides housing 402 with a generally triangular-shaped barrel and,as illustrated in the example of FIG. 9 c , shape-changeable portion 420provides housing 402 with a generally circular-shaped barrel. Thus, withshape-changeable portion 420, a size and shape of housing 402 may bevaried.

In one example, the different positions or states of movable sections422 are sensed or detected by a sensor of stylus 400, such as sensor 108(FIG. 1 ). Thus, in one implementation, the different positions orstates of movable sections 422 produce or establish different settingswith, for, or of stylus 400, including, for example, different commands,parameters, conditions, operations, controls, or outputs with, for, orof stylus 400, similar to that described above with reference to stylus200.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a stylus 600 inaccordance with the present disclosure. In one example, stylus 600includes a body or housing 602 with a tip portion 612, including a nib613, provided at an end of housing 602. In one example, components ofstylus 600, such as those illustrated and described above with referenceto FIG. 1 , including, for example, an example of control module 104, anexample of power supply 106, an example of sensor 108, and an example ofcommunication module 110, are provided within housing 602.

In one implementation, housing 602 of stylus 600 includes ashape-changeable portion 620, as an example of shape-changeable portion120 (FIG. 1 ). As such, shape-changeable portion 620 provides housing602 with an effective cross-sectional area that may be varied toestablish different settings with, for, or of stylus 600.

In the illustrated example, shape-changeable portion 620 includes acompressible section 622 supported along a length of housing 602. Morespecifically, in one implementation, compressible section 622 has arolled, spiral-shaped cross-section.

In one example, compressible section 622 of shape-changeable portion 620is formed of a spiral flat spring and is biased, for example, to adefault position or state, as illustrated in FIG. 10 , and describedbelow. In addition, compressible section 622 is compressed in adirection substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 601 ofstylus 600, as described below. Thus, in one example, shape-changeableportion 620 is changeable in shape in a direction transverse tolongitudinal axis 601 of stylus 600.

In one implementation, as illustrated in the example of FIGS. 11 a, 11 b, compressible section 622 is compressed, as represented by arrows 629,to vary an effective cross-sectional area of shape-changeable portion620 and establish different conditions or states of stylus 600. Morespecifically, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 11 a , compressiblesection 622 is in an expanded or uncompressed position or state and, asillustrated in the example of FIG. 11 b , compressible section 622 is ina contracted or compressed position or state. As such, in the example ofFIG. 11 a , shape-changeable portion 620 of housing 602 has an effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 630 a and, in the exampleof FIG. 11 b , shape changeable portion 620 of housing 602 has aneffective cross-sectional area identified by dashed line 630 b. In oneexample, the expanded or uncompressed position or state of compressiblesection 622, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11 a , represents adefault position or state of shape-changeable portion 620.

As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 11 a, 11 b , the effectivecross-sectional area identified by dashed line 630 a is different than(i.e., greater than) the effective cross-sectional area identified bydashed line 630 b. In addition, as illustrated in the example of FIGS.11 a, 11 b , shape-changeable portion 620 provides housing 602 with agenerally circular-shaped barrel. Thus, with shape-changeable portion620, a size of housing 602 may be varied.

In one example, the different states of compressible section 622 aresensed or detected by a sensor of stylus 600, such as sensor 108 (FIG. 1). Thus, in one implementation, the different states of compressiblesection 622 produce or establish different settings with, for, or ofstylus 600, including, for example, different commands, parameters,conditions, operations, controls, or outputs with, for, or of stylus600.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method 700 ofusing a stylus, such as stylus 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, as illustrated,for example, in FIG. 1 , FIGS. 2, 3, 4 a, 4 b, FIGS. 5, 6, 7 a, 7 b,FIGS. 8, 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, FIGS. 10, 11 a, 11 b, respectively.

In one example, at 702, method 700 includes sensing a change ineffective cross-sectional area of a portion of a housing of the stylus,such as a change in effective cross-sectional area of shape-changeableportion 120, 220, 320, 420, 620 of respective housing 102, 202, 302,402, 602 of respective stylus 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, as illustrated,for example, in FIG. 1 , FIGS. 2, 3, 4 a, 4 b, FIGS. 5, 6, 7 a, 7 b,FIGS. 8, 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, FIGS. 10, 11 a, 11 b, respectively.

As such, in one example, at 704, method 700 includes generating a firstcommand in response to the effective cross-sectional area being of afirst effective cross-sectional area, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4 a , FIG. 7 a , FIG. 9 a , FIG. 11 a.

And, in one example, at 706, method 700 includes generating a secondcommand in response to the effective cross-sectional area being of asecond effective cross-sectional area, as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4 b , FIG. 7 b , FIG. 9 b, 9 c , FIG. 11 b.

In one implementation, sensing the change in the effectivecross-sectional area of the portion of the housing, for example, at 702,includes sensing a change in size of the portion of the housing, asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b , FIGS. 7 a, 7 b , FIGS. 9a, 9 b, 9 c , FIGS. 11 a , 11 b.

In another implementation, sensing the change in the effectivecross-sectional area of the portion of the housing, for example, at 702,includes sensing a change in shape of the portion of the housing, asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b , FIGS. 7 a, 7 b , FIGS. 9a, 9 b , 9 c.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, avariety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may besubstituted for the specific examples shown and described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examplesdiscussed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A stylus, comprising: a housing including ashape-changeable portion; a tip portion at an end of the housing; and acontrol module within the housing, the shape-changeable portion to bevaried between an expanded state and a compressed state to producedifferent signals, with the shape-changeable portion biased to theexpanded state by a spring-bias applied to the shape-changeable portionin a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing andto be compressed to the compressed state in a direction opposite thespring-bias, and the control module to generate a first signal inresponse to the shape-changeable portion of the housing having a firsteffective cross-sectional area in the expanded state and generate asecond signal in response to the shape-changeable portion of the housinghaving a second, different effective cross-sectional area in thecompressed state.
 2. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the shape-changeableportion is shape-changeable in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the housing.
 3. The stylus of claim 1, wherein theshape-changeable portion of the housing is variable in size.
 4. Thestylus of claim 1, wherein the shape-changeable portion of the housingis variable in shape.
 5. The stylus of claim 1, further comprising asensor to sense variation of the shape-changeable portion of thehousing.
 6. The stylus of claim 1, further comprising a communicationmodule to communicate the first signal and the second signal with anexternal device.
 7. A stylus, comprising: a housing including ashape-changeable portion having an effective cross-sectional area thatis varied between an expanded state and a compressed state to producedifferent signals that establish different settings with the stylus, theshape-changeable portion biased to the expanded state by a spring-biasapplied to the shape-changeable portion in a direction perpendicular toa longitudinal axis of the housing and to be compressed against thespring-bias in an opposite direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis to the compressed state; a tip portion at an end of the housing;and a communication module within the housing to communicate thedifferent settings with an external device.
 8. The stylus of claim 7,wherein the shape-changeable portion of the housing having the effectivecross-sectional area that is varied in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the housing.
 9. The stylus of claim 7, wherein theshape-changeable portion of the housing having the effectivecross-sectional area that is varied in size.
 10. The stylus of claim 7,wherein the shape-changeable portion of the housing having the effectivecross-sectional area that is varied in shape.
 11. A method of using astylus, comprising: sensing a change in an effective cross-sectionalarea of a shape-changeable portion of a housing of the stylus, includingproducing different signals with a change between an expanded state anda compressed state of the shape-changeable portion, the shape-changeableportion biased to the expanded state by a spring-bias applied to theshape-changeable portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the housing and to be compressed to the compressed state in adirection opposite the spring-bias; generating a first command inresponse to the effective cross-sectional area being of a firsteffective cross-sectional area in the expanded state; and generating asecond command in response to the effective cross-sectional area beingof a second effective cross-sectional area in the compressed state. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein sensing the change in effectivecross-sectional area of the portion of the housing includes sensing thechange in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of thehousing.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein sensing the change in theeffective cross-sectional area of the portion of the housing includessensing a change in size of the portion of the housing.
 14. The methodof claim 11, wherein sensing the change in the effective cross-sectionalarea of the portion of the housing includes sensing a change in shape ofthe portion of the housing.
 15. The stylus of claim 1, wherein theshape-changeable portion provides the housing with an oval-shaped barrelin the expanded state and a circular-shaped barrel in the compressedstate.
 16. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the shape-changeable portionprovides the housing with a triangular-shaped barrel in the expandedstate and a circular-shaped barrel in the compressed state.
 17. Thestylus of claim 7, wherein the shape-changeable portion provides thehousing with an oval-shaped barrel in the expanded state and acircular-shaped barrel in the compressed state.
 18. The stylus of claim7, wherein the shape-changeable portion provides the housing with atriangular-shaped barrel in the expanded state and a circular-shapedbarrel in the compressed state.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein theshape-changeable portion provides the housing with an oval-shaped barrelin the expanded state and a circular-shaped barrel in the compressedstate.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the shape-changeable portionprovides the housing with a triangular-shaped barrel in the expandedstate and a circular-shaped barrel in the compressed state.